The Gender Gap

It's the end of the Republican National Convention and I've never felt so torn between a political platform and the people standing on it. Or rather, the characters standing on it, since thus far the candidates have been presented over and over again in terms of their "story." Barack's single mom; his turn away from a big firm paycheck; Michelle defying her working-class roots to reach Harvard Law.

In terms of sheer story appeal, McCain and Palin have them beat. I almost teared up with John Moe after hearing how McCain would flash his fellow POW a thumbs-up while being escorted back to his cell by his torturers. And how can you not be impressed by a stay-at-home mother of five who goes from the PTA to the Governor's mansion? (Giuliani was right when he said, "How dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time to spend with her children and be vice-president? When did they ever ask a man that question, when?!")

The problem is that, aside from the vaguest of statements such as "we believe in a culture of life," both McCain and Palin completely dodged issues that I—and a lot of women—care about: abortion rights, family leave, equal pay, etc. (It was all oil, war, oil, war, oil, war, while Cindy McCain just spent her time bragging about what a great catch her husband is.) Granted, Obama and Biden didn't spend much time on these subjects either. Let's just hope that there will be some tough moderators during the debates who will help us find out what everyone really believes in, not just what their stories are.

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